MHA writes to States to fight Fake News on COVID-19
PIB / IH Desk
NEW DELHI, April 2, 2020: The Supreme Court, while hearing to a writ petition, took serious note of the panic created by Fake News leading to mass movement of migrant labourers. This has lead to untold suffering to these people, the Court observed.
Following up on the Court’s observations, Secretary, Union Ministry for Home Affairs (MHA) Ajay Kumar Bhalla has written to all States and Union Territories (UTs) to take effective measures to fight Fake News. It has been communicated that the Government of India is creating a web-portal for people to verify facts and unverified news promptly.
The States/UTs have been requested to create a similar mechanism at their level for issues relating to them.
The Apex Court has also made observations and directions to ensure provision of basic amenities such as food, medicines and essentials in line with NDMA and MHA directives and other welfare activities in relief shelters for migrant labourers.
The communication demanded compliance with the Directives, Advisories and Orders issued by Central Government in letter and spirit, for containment of spread of COVID-19 in the country.